Machine for rolling metal to spherical form



(No Model.)

G. F. TEBBETTS.

MACHINE FOR ROLLING METAL T0 SPHERIGAL FORM. No. 367,682. r PatentedAug. 2, 1 887 java/2232:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAR-LES FRANCIS TEBBETTS, OF FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR ROLLING METAL TO SPHERICAL FORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,682, dated August2, 1887.

Application filed February 24, 1887. Serial No. 228,794. (No model.)

To all whom it. mag monomer- Be it known that 1, CHARLES FRANCIS Tm;-BETTS, of Fitchburg, in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for MakingMetal Articles, of which the following, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for making metal articles spherical,cylindrical, or other contour having circular cross-sectional area; andthe objects and nature of this invention are fully described andspecifically claimed hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the forwardend of amachine embodying this invention, a part of one of thesupportingbrackets being broken away to better show the working of theplatens. Fig. 2 is a view of the platens or die carrying plates, thepositions which the dies are to occupy being indicated thereon by curvedlines, while the direction of motion in which the platens are movedwhile making one of the metal articles is indicated by the arrows. Fig.3 is a plan view of one of the dies.

This invention pertains to that class of machines in which there are twodies, the same to be used in 'pairs and moved in opposite directions toshape articles of metal rolled on their axis between.

It is the object of this invention, in part, to prevent the article fromslipping and sliding out of position while being formed. To this end Igive the dies a lateral curvature (see Fig. 3) and mount them uponmovable platens or carrying-plates with the formingsnrface s of the diesopposed to each other. The platens are themselves mounted uponsupportingbrackets,and one of said platens,preferably the top one, ismade adjustable toward and from the other, to the end that dies ofdifferent thicknesses may be introduced between the platens. Thisadjustment of the platens I accomplish in the machine represented bymakingthe bracket which supports the platen movable on its sup portingand stayinggpins; but it will be evident that other constructions andforms of mechanism may be employed as well. The platens are located oneabove the other, and are pivotally connected to their supportingbracketsby suitable pins or studs, on which they may be turned or oscillatedsufliciently to carry the forming-dies past each other in oppositedirections. In the machine represented I make use of a rack-and-pinionmechanism-the construction, arrangement, and

operation of which is deemed obvious from the (lrawings--for givingmovement to the platens; but other mechanisms may be employed as well,the essential feature being to move the dies in opposite directionssimultaneously and with equal speed.

The curvilinear face of the die commences at the vanishing point andgradually deepens until it terminates at the opposite end of the die online. This is the formingsurface oft-he die. It commences its work atthe point and ends it at the line. The maximum depth of the surface online is about equal to onehalf the largest diameter of the article whichit is intended to make between the two dies,

and the general conformation or contour of this surface on line willcorrespond with the lateral contour of the completed article as itappears on a plane which bisects the article. The spreading and reducingsurfaces, commencing at the point, rise gradually from the surface ofthe die-block until they terminate on line, at which point they areelevated to one-half the diameter of the intended article. The dies,which are preferably composed of steel, are made by first planing ormilling in the groove which constitutes the forming-surfaces and thencross-planing the raised surfaces to a vanishing point, as stated. Theouter or spreading surfaces are preferably rounded and corrugated orchased, to the end that they may better lay hold of the metal bar androtate it while the article is being formed.

The curvature of either die is made similar to the curvature of itscooperating member, and the dies are positioned. upon their respectiveplatens,so that their forming -surfaces and as the dies move past eachotherin opposite directions the forming-surfaces converge as theyapproach and diverge as they depart from the registering plane.

In operation the platens are first moved so as to bring the vanishingpoint of each die into the registering plane. The metal bar is thenplaced in position between the dies and the platens begin to move inopposite directions, as indicated. The dies lay hold upon opposite sidesof the metal bar, and in moving past each other compress, reduce, andshape theintended article, which article drops from the metal bar acompleted thing, when the dies complete their passage. It is always inthe registering plane that shape and form are iinparted to the intendedarticle, and the lateral divergency of the forming-surfaces of the diesimmediately before and after the registering plane prevents the articlefrom slipping and sliding out of position while being formed. The diesrepresented in the drawings are sections or arcs of similar circles,andare mounted upon platens which turn about fixed axes, and I am persuadedto believe that such is the simplest and most economical mechanism andarrangement to be employed in carrying out my invention, though I amaware that other mechanisms could be der'ised for operating the dies andcarrying them through the required paths or movements and effect theresults described; but

I claim as of my invention and desire by Let ters Patent to secure- 1.In a machine for making metal articles, substantially as described, thecombination of curved dies mounted on platens and working in curvedpaths, substantially as set forth.

2. Curved dies, substantially as described.

3. Two dies having forming-surfaces, substantially as set forth, thedies being arranged with their forming-surfaces opposed and registeringwith each other in a cross sectional plane and divergent andnon-registering on both sides of said plane, combined with mechanism formoving the dies in opposite directions and bringing the successive crosssectional surfaces of the dies into the registering planesimultaneously, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. The combination of the curved dies, their supporting-platens, and thedescribed raekand-pinion mechanism for moving the dies, substantially asdescribed.

CHARLES FRANCIS TEBBETTS.

W'itnesses:

JOEL J 0131;, J AMES H. MclvLirIoN.

